Competition Weekend Through an iPhone Lens

Disclosure: The following post is sponsored by Fitfluential LLC on behalf of Verizon Wireless.

When I got my first smart phone, it changed my world. I’ve never liked having to carry multiple devices or go to more than one source for tasks.

Verizon offered me the chance to upgrade from my iPhone 5 to a 5s and I pounced on the opportunity. From the solid, light-weight of the metal-casing to the fingerprint-reading lock, I am impressed. I also love the new iOS7 system. It offers iTunes Radio, which is like Pandora but better because you can tag songs as favorites to remember to purchase later. I’ve wished for this feature on the radio SO many times!

The light weight and the radio features allow me to travel light on a plane or the gym – just grab the phone and my in-flight entertainment or energy-inducing jams are there. I love being able shake up my music songs – my playlist was getting OLD after all this competition training.

Since I spent the weekend with Heather in Colorado for our competition, I joined her for a final workout. Radio up and headphones in, I killed the last back/tri workout I’ll do for 2 weeks (it’s REST time!). It was SO much fun to be able to do it with a friend, and to shamelessly ask gym employees to take iPhone pics for us.

Best of all is the super-fast Verizon 4G LTE service. I’m extremely impatient, so being able to over-share instantaneously via Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter is a must. I did just that alllll weekend long from Colorado!

I’m drafting this on a flight home and the internet is painfully slow, so the full recap will have to wait. In the meantime, here’s the iPhone-powered Cliff’s Notes:

Heather and I didn’t get top 5, but we had a blast. AND we got to cheer Lisa, who placed 4th in Bikini Class C.

We celebrated in style at one of Denver’s best restaurants, Fruition. Kait joined us too – it was so great to meet her for the first time. I ordered pasta carbonara with hand-made cavatalli, pork belly and a 6 minute egg (I ordered that solely for the #yolkporn) and duck conﬁt pierogi with caramelized brussels, kumquat marmalade, and roasted apple pan jus.

The food was great, the service was perfect, and the company couldn’t have been better… but I’m still amazed I didn’t fall asleep in my (unpictured) dessert.

Sunday was a beautiful morning – not a cloud in the sky! Heather, Kirk (her husband) and I slept in and headed out for coffeeand a hike.

We headed back to meet Lauren and Greg (her husband) for brunch. We sipped on a Kirk-and-Heather whiskey barrel-aged homebrew(out-of-this-world good!) and shoveled a cheese plate in our mouths while Kirk prepared the meal The smoked salmon eggs benedictwas one of the best I’ve had!

I’m sad to leave, but made a ton of good memories… and rekindled my desire to MOVE to Denver! It was all pretty marvelous.

***

I am so grateful for Heather and Kirk putting up with me me up for the long weekend, and to everyone who commented/tweeted good luck messages. It all made the weekend that much more special. Thank you! <3

Are you an iPhone or Droid lover? What are your favorite apps?I’ve become addicted to LINE camera.

Do you like to hike? That’s one of the reasons I want to live in Denver!

BAHHHH I need a new phone like a baby bird needs a worm!!!! THAT BADLY!!! And I am chirping about it like a crazy baby bird too! LOL! I have an iPhone 4… And I have had it for 3 years and I have never updated the software, LOL! It freezes for a minute every time I send or receive a text message… A minute may not SEEM like a long time, but if I had to text my mother or sibling to tell them I was DYING, let’s just say, I WOULD DIE thanks to my slow ass phone! LOL! That being said, YOU MAY HAVE PUSHED ME OVER THE EDGE to get a NEWWWWW ONE!

And OOOOO EMMMM GEEE! I wish I were still in Denver, I would have TAKEN YOU OUUTTTT! HA HA! Well, to all the delicious restaurants that you could have eaten delicious “cut” food at! And then right after your competition I would have just taken you to my MECCA that is the Whole Foods Market in Cherry Creek! LOL!

Congrats on your competition and enjoy your rest! I’m still rocking an iPhone 3GS (no front camera on that thing) but have successfully dropped enough hints to my husband that there will be a new 5s waiting under the tree for me this year

Wow, girl, what am amazing weekend!! And your post comp food is SO well deserved!! I have an iPhone 4 and it’s hanging on for dear life. Thank God my boss ordered the iphone 5s in GOLD – can’t wait!!!
I need to check out LINE camera!
Though I must say, if I am home and have the time, I love to make shoots with my lightbox and Canon – it’s a different world!!

I hate to say it but I am DROID all the way especially with my Samsung Camera its the bees knees! I do love all of your photos and feel the iPhone delivers in that way and Verizon is the best I used to have it when I lived in the states! You look amazing in all of your photos and its so awesome to watch you, I Know I say this every comment but I do mean it! What an inspiration! Hope you enjoy some more feasts and a nice Thanksgiving <33 Lots of Love your way C

Wooooo congrats babe!!!! Dont know what I’d do without my iphone…seriously though, I would have a complete meltdown if I lost it/it was stolen. And then I would worry what the new owner might think of my excessive food and workout pics and the strange things I google lol

Congrats lady!! So happy that the competition went well. And that you had an awesome weekend! Smoked salmon eggs benedict? That sounds amazing.
Right now I have a Droid, but I’m thinking of switching to an iPhone with my next upgrade…might be a Christmas present to myself.

I lived in Denver for 7 years! Looks like you had beautiful weather and a fun weekend…What’s next on your agenda now woman? Are you going to take some time to relax or are you back at it? I’m actually thinking of switching to the Samsung Galaxy.

As I feel like I’ve said 800 times on Instagram, you both look FANTASTIC and are so inspiring!!! Glad you have fun and get some REST. Yes on the iPhone – totally addicted. And yes on Denver! I WILL move to Colorado some day … my brother lives in Denver, my sister lives in Colorado Springs, and my family has a place in the middle of nowhere (which is awesome). Congrats again!

You all look fantastic! Also you should def move to Denver cause I am planning on moving to Boulder and being a sports dietitian to some famous triathletes! Ha! So we will be neighbours and it will be AWESOME! Well done again! Enjoy your rest, love! Eat ALL the foods!

Oh I’ve been waiting for this post, Laura! You look amazing- the hard work paid off for sure and the rest is well deserved! PS: I agree. I don’t know how I functioned in life before my iPhone. Communication, camera, email, music… Hell I even pay bills on here!

I’m so glad you were able to come compete with me in my first competition. I am a little in shock that it’s already over and I’m excited to start putting together a plan for next year that includes running, duathlon, & bikini. I blame you for one more crazy hobby on my list – but I’m so glad that it’s on the list. Can’t wait to see how much progress I can make in the meantime.

Heather, I am SO glad I got to be there for your debut. I can’t wait to see where you go from here. Your ability to stick to a plan and conquer anything and everything is inspiring. I’m proud to call you my friend… and to be blamed for yet another crazy hobby. 😉

Job well done. Two figure comps in two weeks. You can check that off the list, and then give yourself a big old happy smack on the ass because you deserve it. Seriously, you did awesome and now you get to play a little. I’m guessing asparagus is officially off the menu. Send it my way instead. Better yet, bring it to me. I’ll swap you for a bok choy pizza.

You ladies all looked fab and I loved following your journey on Instagram! I think it’s wonderful that you supported one another through the competition. That says a lot about friendships made via the internet, don’t ya think!? I love it!!

God I miss Colorado…best hiking memories I have are from Blend! I’m so jealous that you got to see it again AND spend time with two of my favorite ladies! That Egg’s Ben…YUM! Did Kirk make a vegan hollandaise? I swear I’d visit Heather and Kirk JUST to get in on some of their delicious creations…they are one fine foodie match!

So glad to hear you girls had fun…both inside and OUTSIDE of the competition! Love you both!

And you may have just convinced me to finally download the latest iPhone update…yeah, totally behind the times! Haha!

You both looked so amazing (per usual), and ending the weekend with coffee and a hike had to just be the icing on the cake (where is the post-comp cake?? Perhaps one of your mug cake midnight snacks is in order ;-)).

I have the Samsung Galaxy III and it takes great pictures. It tends to be heavy though because I have the Otter Box on it. Ralph has the iPhone and loves it. I’m thinking of switching when my contract is up but can’t decide. We could do Facetime if we both had iPhones so I’m thinking…Great job at the competition. You look wonderful and I’m very proud of you!

[…] Laura played the part of the fish chef all weekend – she made two big pans of fish for us on Friday alone. The goal is to put enough on the fish that it tastes a little different. It kind of helps. White fish, sweet potato, and asparagus. I have no idea how people eat this way for more than one week at a time – I would go crazy! At least I never got tired of sweet potatoes, they are sweet enough to pass for a treat any time. […]

[…] Since we’re all unique little snowflakes, you have the option to build your own package. Just choose the devices and data. You can also upgrade to a new phone without having to wait those pesky 2 years! I suggest the iPhone 5s. […]

[…] Laura played the part of the fish chef all weekend – she made two big pans of fish for us on Friday alone. The goal is to put enough on the fish that it tastes a little different. It kind of helps. White fish, sweet potato, and asparagus. I have no idea how people eat this way for more than one week at a time – I would go crazy! At least I never got tired of sweet potatoes, they are sweet enough to pass for a treat any time. […]

[…] this week when we were on vacation in Napa. I told her if she did, I’d come to Colorado and do a competition with her… this time she’s competing in a different organization and I’m taking a year off, […]